How history is shaping the future of Worcester

 

More than 100 builders and contractors are hard at work as the first stage of redevelopment at a key site in Worcester nears completion.

The internal refurbishment of the historic grade two listed former Vinegar Works in Lowesmoor is occupied by about 65 builders and local contractors, led by Vinci Construction UK, as they seek to complete the job by September.

A team of more than 30 builders led by Carillion Richardson, which is directing the whole £75 million project, has also laid much of the groundwork with a complex network of supporting foundations to preserve the historic vinegar cellars.

This will ensure the area is ready for the next stage of development, which will see the new Asda store and its multi-storey car park start to take shape later this year. However, that work will not be completed until the end of next year.

Once the refurbishment of the Vinegar Works site is finished, the building will become the new home of the Territorial Army (TA).

It will also be the permanent home for 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers) – a detachment of the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force – and the Worcester Sea Cadets.

The centre will also house the regimental archives of the Worcester and Sherwood Forester Regiment.

Colonel Tim Weeks, chief executive of the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “The new centre is of national importance. The design and scale of these facilities will represent a considerable improvement for us and the profile of the armed forces in Worcestershire will be enhanced significantly.”

As part of the move from its current premises in Silver Street, the TA will also be gaining additional facilities on a site at Midland Road, off Wyld’s Lane.

The facility will provide most of the TA’s garaging, which will reduce the need for their heavy vehicles to travel into the city centre.

We previously reported in your Worcester News that up to 13 new shops, 10 apartments, office space, and a restaurant are also due to be built.

A Carillion Richardson spokesman said: “It is great to see exciting plans that will bring significant benefits to the city starting to take shape.”

Refurbishment of the Vinegar Works main building

 

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